Stocking



July 3, 1934.

R. HENDERSON STOCKING Filed June 29 m m m R E Cittornegs Patented July 3, ,1934

TES

' UNITED s'r PATENT OFFICE 4 @laims.

This invention relates to stockings, and other garments, one of the objects being to form a stocking or the like with means whereby it can be placed in engagement with a supporter or garter without danger of causing runs or tears such as frequently result from use of supporters or garters of the ordinary types wherein the fabric of the stocking is stretched over a stud and clamped thereto by some form of clip.

nary supporting means, it being possible to apply the support to the stocking at one or more points.

A still further object is to provide a stocking with reinforcing means which can be utilized for the purpose of ornamentation.

Another object is to provide a reinforcing means whichnot only serves to engage the support but also acts to distribute strains over an extensive surface instead of confining them to a relatively small area as heretofore.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims; it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred forms of the invention have been shown. a

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a stocking engaged by a supporter.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the stocking, the same being slightly modified. I

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of another modification.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a stocking which can be formed of'any usual kinds of fabrics. The edge of the stocking can be hemmed or welted or can be left with a plain finish. Under some conditions it might be desired to give the edge an ornamental finish. In every case the stocking is provided with openings 2 properly placed to receive the stud S of a garter or other support G having the usual clip in the form of a loop L for engaging the stud.

For the purpose of preventing the fabric from tearing or pulling at the opening, the edge of the opening is finished by embroidering or buttonholing, as shown at 3. In addition thereto crossarms 4 are extended in opposite directions from It is a further object to permit use of the ordieach opening along lines substantially parallel with the edge of the stocking. Additional arms 5 are extended upwardly and downwardly from each opening. All of the arms are embroidered so as to be intimately intermeshed with the fabric. Generally it is intended to arrange the openings in series extending longitudinally of the stocking. Any desired number of openings can be pro vided in each series. As shown in Figure 1 each series includes three openings while in Figure 2 the stocking is shown provided with four openings to a series. While the number of groups or series of openings can be varied, it is preferred to use four of them so that any of the openings of two series can be used with a pair of supporters when the stocking is worn on one leg while the remaining groups of openings can receive the supporters when the stocking is worn on the other leg.

While the openings are all located preferably below the ordinary hemmed or welted edge of thestocking they can be formed in stockings which are not hemmed or welted. Stockings having an ornamental edge can also be used. In Figure 3 the stocking has been shown formed with 30 tabs or extensions 6 and the upper opening of each series is located in one of the tabs. The embroidery used for reinforcing the openings and in the production of the arms 4 and 5 will constitute an ornamental feature of the stocking 35 and can be incorporated into various designs formed'in or embroidered on the stocking.

Where the openings are provided in series as shown in the drawing the arms 5 which extend longitudinally of the stocking serve as non-elas- 9n tic connections between the reinforcements 3. 'Thus when the stud S is inserted in one of the openings strains will be transmitted from this opening through the arms 5 to those portions of the stocking immediately thereunder. Not only will the lateral arms 4 extending from the open ing in which the stud is seated, distribute strains laterally, but strains will also be distributed through the arms 5 to the remaining arms 4: Thus although the stocking is engaged at one point only the' pulling strains to which the stocking is subjected will be distributed over the entire areacovered by the adjacent arms of 'the several openings. Consequently when the stocking is drawn taut while in use there will be no danger 5 of runs resulting from the pulling strain where the stud is engaged.

By providing the stocking with openings the attachment to thesupporter is rendered more secure and it becomes possible to fasten the stocktapes or garters can be threaded through the openings and fastened about the legs, or the hose can be supported by any other means found suitable.

The improvements can be used with women's, men's and children's hosiery and any other wearing apparel where the supporting means presses or pulls on the fabric and tends to cause runs or tears.

What is claimed is:.

1. A garment of the class described having a series of fastener receiving openings at different distances from the edge of the garment, and means for preventing the garment from stretching adjacent to the openings and fordistributing pulling strains from the openings throughout the area adjacent thereto, said means including a reinforcement along the edge of each opening, reinforcements projecting from each opening, and reinforcements connecting the reinforcements of the openings, all of said reinforcements being intermeshed with the fabric of the garment. L

2. A garment of the class described having a longitudinal series of fastener receiving openings, and means for preventing the garment from stretching adjacent to the openings and for distributing pulling strains from the openings throughout the area adjacent thereto, said means including a reinforcement along the edge of each opening, laterally extending arms projecting from each opening, and longitudinal arms connecting the reinforcements of the openings, all of said arms and reinforcements being intermeshed with the fabric of the garment.

3. A garment of the class described having a fastener receiving opening, a reinforcement ex--' tending around the opening, and laterally and longitudinally extending reinforcing arms radiating from the opening, said reinforcement and the arms being intimately intermeshed with the fab ric of the garment, and constituting means for distributing pulling strains from the opening throughout the area occupied by the arms.

4. A garment of the class described having an.

area extending into the garment from one edge which area is strengthened by reinforcing means intermeshed therewith to form an ornamental design, there being a series of fastener receiving openings in said area and at different distances from said edge and forming a part of the design portrayed by the reinforcing means, the orna- 

